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Six Smart Travelling Tips

Sarah Pezzino CFP® EA

Picture driving a scooter down a road surrounded by serene rice fields in Indonesia, enjoying the wind in your face sharing a moment with your friend riding on the back. Moments later, you feel tugging on your purse and ask your friend why they are pulling it. They respond that they aren’t and in the same moment you realize that there are two people on a scooter right next to you, holding your bag while it’s still attached to you. All while driving, you try to to pull it back and suddenly, they cut it off and speed away. Fortunately, while I never could have thought up this scenario myself, I was prepared when it happened to me. Here are some top tips to keep you prepared for the unknown this holiday travel season!

  1. Back-up ATM/debit cards and credit cards—Bring at least two ATM/debit cards from two different banks and two credit cards when you travel. It is best to keep one debit and credit card in your wallet and another set hidden in your luggage at the hotel. You never want to be in a situation without access to money. Be sure not to use your Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or other online payment method for a card that has been stolen, to avoid being liable for unauthorized charges.
  2. Copies of important documents—Be sure to keep a paper copy of your identification (passport/IDs) hidden away for emergencies. Having a picture on your phone is also helpful if you have a secure way to store it and in the case that you still have your phone in your possession. 
  3. Avoid accessing financial accounts on Wi-Fi—If you have no internet directly through your carrier or VPN protection, avoid accessing sensitive data while using Wi-Fi. If you have no choice, take precautions by making sure to change your passwords.
  4. Fake ATMs/Skimming—Avoid ATMs that are outdoors with access to the public, and stick to ATMs that are physically located in banks when possible. If this isn’t possible, try to find an ATM that does not have to pull your card fully inside the machine. 
  5. Don’t carry all your valuables at once—Less is more. Reduce the probability of losing all your valuables at once by not bringing along everything once you’ve made it to your destination. Passports and back-up debit and credit cards are generally things that are best to leave behind while you go about your day. 
  6. Insure yourself—Sometimes life happens, and we get sick or injured at the most inopportune moment. While many credit cards offer various types of travel benefits for free including if your luggage is delayed or your trip is interrupted due to a covered reason, they aren’t as robust as travel insurance policies that can be purchased for a specific trip and customized to your needs.

If you have any questions about preparing for your next trip, Andrew Blomberg at International Citizens Insurance offers various solutions for global travelers. He can be reached at andrew@internationalinsurance.com. Another one of our favorite resources for travel insurance is Money Smart. 

Here at Avrio, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday travel season!


This material is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Additionally, you should consult with your Financial Advisor, Tax Advisor, or Attorney on your specific situation. The views expressed in the material are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any market, regulatory body, State or Federal Agency, or Association. All efforts have been made to report or share true and accurate information. However, the information may become materially outdated or otherwise rendered incorrect due to subsequent new research or other changes, without notice. The author nor the firm are able to always verify the content from third-party sources. For additional information about the firm, please visit the MAS Website at https://www.mas.gov.sg/  and the SEC Website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. For a copy of the firm's ADV Part 2 Brochure, please contact us at info@avriowealth.com.